Springfield | FFXnow

Rider feedback sought on Fairfax Connector changes in Reston and Springfield

Published November 12, 2024 at 1:15PM

A Fairfax Connector bus leaves the Reston Town Center Transit Station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is planning more service changes for Fairfax Connector, specifically in the Reston, Herndon, Springfield and Centreville areas of the county.

Set to be discussed at two online community meetings this week, the proposals would serve to increase frequency, realign some service and add a new Route 652. Planned for elimination is Route 599, a rush-hour express service that runs between Reston and the Pentagon, Pentagon City and Crystal City areas of Arlington.

News

FCPD: All suspects in September crime spree, including gun store theft, arrested

By Jared Serre

Published November 8, 2024 at 1:15PM | Updated November 8, 2024 at 1:55PM

Fairfax County police logo (file photo)

All seven suspects believed to be connected to a gun store robbery in Newington have been taken into custody, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis announced today (Friday).

Four suspects were seen on surveillance footage ramming a stolen vehicle into Dominion Defense in the early morning of Sept. 18, gaining access and emerging with 14 stolen firearms — a “brazen crime,” Davis said at a press conference this morning.

News

County board split over possible I-495 toll lanes from Springfield into Maryland

By Scott McCaffrey

Published November 4, 2024 at 3:45PM

I-495 "Southside Express" HOT-lanes proposal (via Virginia Department of Transportation)

Virginia’s plan to widen I-495 with privately financed, toll-based express lanes in the Woodrow Wilson Bridge corridor continues to get a decidedly mixed reception from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

On one side of the debate, Board Chairman Jeff McKay believes the project is “essential,” but he conceded at a meeting of the board’s transportation committee last Tuesday (Oct. 29) that “not everyone feels that way.”

News

Springfield woman pleads guilty in $250k embezzlement scheme

By Jared Serre

Published October 31, 2024 at 2:30PM

A judge's gavel on a table (via Wesley Tingey/Unsplash)

A Springfield woman accused of embezzling more than $250,000 from her employer pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court today (Thursday).

Jennifer Giorffino, 53, faces up to 20 years in prison after misappropriating the funds from her employer, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia announced, identifying the organization only as one “dedicated to accounting for prisoners of war.”

Around Town

Dry cleaner, sushi restaurant open at Old Keene Mill Shopping Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 22, 2024 at 8:15AM

Zips Cleaners is now open at Old Keene Mill Shopping Center in West Springfield (courtesy ZIPS Franchising LLC)

The hole left at Old Keene Mill Shopping Center by Whole Foods Market’s departure is starting to fill up.

Trader Joe’s officially assumed the role of anchor grocery store when it opened on Sept. 12, and over the past week, the strip mall in West Springfield has welcomed a dry-cleaning franchise, a waxing center and a new sushi restaurant.

Around Town

Fashion accessories and home goods store coming to Springfield Town Center

By Jared Serre

Published October 7, 2024 at 9:00AM

Springfield Town Center (file photo)

A new store offering fashion accessories and home goods is coming soon to Springfield Town Center.

Be & Cheery is focused on “promoting beauty and embracing individuality,” spokesperson Chunyan Chen said.

News

Construction breaks ground on Inova Franconia-Springfield Hospital

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2024 at 9:45AM

Officials break ground on a new Franconia-Springfield Hospital (staff photo by James Cullum)

Inova has broken ground on its new Franconia-Springfield hospital, promising to bring full-service inpatient care to the area by 2028.

Marking the start of construction on the expansion of Inova’s HealthPlex campus, the groundbreaking at 6361 Walker Lane in Franconia was the first of two ceremonies that the health system held yesterday (Monday), along with one for the new Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark.

Around Town

Zoom Room brings dedicated indoor dog training space to Springfield

By Jared Serre

Published September 27, 2024 at 8:15AM

A dog participates in a Zoom Room training exercise (courtesy Zoom Room)

A nearly 3,200-square-foot facility for dog training has opened in Springfield.

Zoom Room, located at 6812 Bland Street, held its grand opening last Saturday (Sept. 21). It’s the first location in the D.C. area for the national chain, which currently has more than 100 centers nationwide.

News

Trump supporters to hold car rally in Fairfax County this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 26, 2024 at 3:45PM | Updated September 27, 2024 at 9:17AM

Vehicles with Trump 2024 flags (via Northern Virginia Car Rally for Trump flyer)

Some local Donald Trump supporters will rev up their engines this Sunday (Sept. 29) as a display of enthusiasm for the Republican presidential nominee.

Organized by activists from the D.C. area’s Vietnamese community, the Northern Virginia Car Rally for Trump will be “an unforgettable day of patriotism and support,” according to an event notice posted on the Fairfax County Republican Committee’s website.

News

Fairfax County wants your feedback on Lake Accotink’s future

By Jared Serre

Published September 23, 2024 at 3:45PM

Lake Accotink (courtesy Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services)

Fairfax County is seeking public feedback on the future of Springfield’s Lake Accotink, which remains yet to be determined.

The county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services opened a survey today (Monday), allowing residents to weigh in on how to navigate the current challenges impacting the lake.